Sir Arthur Charles Clarke (1917–2008) was a visionary British science fiction author, futurist, and inventor, best known for co-writing 2001: A Space Odyssey with director Stanley Kubrick. Often grouped with Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein as one of the “Big Three” of science fiction, Clarke’s work blended scientific rigor with imaginative storytelling.

He predicted the concept of geostationary satellites in 1945—an idea that later became reality—and his fiction often explored humanity’s place in the cosmos, first contact with alien intelligence, and the future of space exploration. Notable novels include Childhood’s End, Rendezvous with Rama, and The Fountains of Paradise, many of which won Hugo and Nebula Awards.